Liverpool supporters are still arguing over Ryan Gravenberch’s sending-off against Manchester City at Anfield. Former Premier League referee Graham Barber has reportedly given his view on the decision, which has put the incident back in the spotlight.
The Reds were still trying to get back into the game when Gravenberch picked up a second booking and had to leave the field. Many had already questioned whether his first caution was deserved at all. The second came after he fouled Jeremy Doku just as City were breaking forward, and with that Liverpool were down to ten men and the match swung heavily in the visitors’ favour.
City made the most of the extra man and ran out 3-0 winners, with Erling Haaland, Doku and Rayan Cherki all getting on the scoresheet. That leaves a nagging question for Liverpool fans: would the outcome have been different had Gravenberch stayed on?
Opinion among supporters is split. Some feel the referee was right to show the second yellow, while others believe the first card was too harsh and left the midfielder walking a tightrope. Either way, the episode has revived the wider conversation about refereeing in the Premier League and whether officials are applying the rules consistently.
